Microsoft has already introduced its Surface Book i7 and Surface Studio, but fans are still left wondering if the Redmond giant has plans of releasing a new smartphone. The Surface line of products is proving to be quite popular in the market, so it is not surprising that many are longing for the debut of a Surface smartphone.

GSM Arena reports that even though certain Surface Phones have made appearances in renders and benchmark leaks in the past, there is still no sign of their launch, let alone their existence. However, consumers who are looking forward for the launch of these phones may have gained new hope after Microsoft CEO Natya Nadella recently spoke about the company’s plans for its mobile business.

Early this week, Nadella did an interview with the Australian Financial Review. Per the CEO, Microsoft’s team is currently carrying out a research on innovative technology, so that the company could ensure that its next entry into the smartphone market would be felt by its competitors and the consumers in general.

“We don’t want to be driven by just envy of what others have, the question is what can we bring? That’s where I look at any device form factor or any technology, even AI,” Nadella was quoted as saying. “We will continue to be in the phone market not as defined by today’s market leaders, but by what it is that we can uniquely do in what is the most ultimate mobile device.”

According to MacRumors, Nadella’s statement simply means that Microsoft wants to redefine the field by making the “ultimate mobile device” — what is currently being rumored as the Surface Phone. In ensuring that this device would shine on its own in the sea of competition, the Redmond giant is interested in knowing how individuals and organizations use their phones, instead of studying the market trend at present.

Recent reports have been claiming that Microsoft is working on a Surface Phone with “laptop-class” Intel processors. There are also speculations that Microsoft could be secretly working on a device based on the HP Elite x3’s build, which is a part smartphone, part mini PC device. At this point, it is still to early to tell, but GSM Arena is taking Nadella's statement as a clear sign that Microsoft Surface Phone is already being developed.